FierceHealthcare reports that Independent Health has agreed to adopt New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s model for ranking physicians. The health plan signed an agreement to follow the model this week, even though it does not currently have a ranking scheme in place.
Among other things, the AG’s model requires insurers to share all details on how they rank doctors with both consumers and the physicians themselves, notably the extent to which doctors’ prices affect the ratings. It also requires them to use statistically-valid methods, risk-adjust populations, and hire an external monitor to make sure their methods and practices are sound.
Other health plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Health Group, have already agreed to adhere to the standards, which were developed by the AG in cooperation with the American Medical Association.